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Cornstarch & Non-Newtonian Fluids | Shear Thickening Behaviour | UPSC Science & Tech

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📘 ENGLISH CONTENT

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6

Recently, researchers observed that a cornstarch mixture behaves like a liquid at first but becomes harder under sudden force, demonstrating a classic example of a non-Newtonian fluid.

Cornstarch is derived from Zea mays through a process called wet milling, where components such as starch, protein, fibre, and oil are separated.

The starch is dried into a fine white powder known as cornstarch.

Scientific Behaviour

When mixed with water, cornstarch forms a substance known as “oobleck,” which shows shear-thickening behaviour.

  • Under slow movement → behaves like a liquid
  • Under sudden force → behaves like a solid

This happens because particles in the mixture lock together under stress, increasing resistance.

Properties of Cornstarch

  • High in carbohydrates
  • Low in nutrients like protein, vitamins, and minerals
  • Good moisture absorber

Applications

  • Used as a thickening agent in food
  • Helps in capsule disintegration in medicines
  • Used in gluten-free products
  • Applied in paper, adhesives, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals
  • Used as lubricant (e.g., surgical gloves)

Significance

The study highlights important concepts in physics like non-Newtonian fluids, which have applications in industries, protective gear, and material science.

📘 MCQs (ENGLISH)

Q1. Cornstarch is obtained from:

A. Wheat

B. Rice

C. Zea mays

D. Barley

Answer: C

Q2. Cornstarch mixture is:

A. Newtonian

B. Non-Newtonian

C. Solid

D. Gas

Answer: B

Q3. Under force, it behaves like:

A. Liquid

B. Gas

C. Solid

D. Plasma

Answer: C

Q4. Without force, it behaves like:

A. Solid

B. Liquid

C. Gas

D. Plasma

Answer: B

Q5. This behavior is called:

A. Expansion

B. Compression

C. Shear thickening

D. Evaporation

Answer: C

Q6. Cornstarch is rich in:

A. Protein

B. Vitamins

C. Carbohydrates

D. Minerals

Answer: C

Q7. Used in:

A. Food

B. Medicine

C. Industry

D. All

Answer: D

Q8. Wet milling separates:

A. Water

B. Oil only

C. Components of corn

D. Air

Answer: C

Q9. It absorbs:

A. Heat

B. Moisture

C. Light

D. Sound

Answer: B

Q10. Example name:

A. Plasma

B. Oobleck

C. Alloy

D. Gel

Answer: B

📘 हिंदी कंटेंट

हाल ही में शोध में पाया गया कि कॉर्नस्टार्च का मिश्रण पहले तरल जैसा व्यवहार करता है और अचानक दबाव पर ठोस बन जाता है।

यह एक non-Newtonian fluid का उदाहरण है।

कॉर्नस्टार्च Zea mays से प्राप्त होता है।

वैज्ञानिक व्यवहार

धीरे चलाने पर यह तरल जैसा होता है, लेकिन अचानक बल लगाने पर कठोर हो जाता है।

इसे shear thickening कहा जाता है।

गुण

  • कार्बोहाइड्रेट से भरपूर
  • पोषण कम
  • नमी सोखता है

उपयोग

  • भोजन में
  • दवाओं में
  • उद्योगों में
  • कॉस्मेटिक्स में

महत्व

यह भौतिकी के महत्वपूर्ण सिद्धांतों को समझने में मदद करता है।

📘 MCQs (हिंदी)

Q1. कॉर्नस्टार्च किससे मिलता है?

A. गेहूं

B. चावल

C. Zea mays

D. जौ

उत्तर: C

Q2. यह किस प्रकार का द्रव है?

A. Newtonian

B. Non-Newtonian

C. ठोस

D. गैस

उत्तर: B

Q3. बल लगाने पर यह क्या बनता है?

A. तरल

B. गैस

C. ठोस

D. प्लाज्मा

उत्तर: C

Q4. सामान्य अवस्था में यह कैसा होता है?

A. ठोस

B. तरल

C. गैस

D. प्लाज्मा

उत्तर: B

Q5. यह व्यवहार क्या कहलाता है?

A. विस्तार

B. संपीड़न

C. shear thickening

D. वाष्पीकरण

उत्तर: C

Q6. यह किससे भरपूर है?

A. प्रोटीन

B. विटामिन

C. कार्बोहाइड्रेट

D. खनिज

उत्तर: C

Q7. इसका उपयोग कहाँ होता है?

A. भोजन

B. दवा

C. उद्योग

D. सभी

उत्तर: D

Q8. Wet milling क्या करता है?

A. पानी हटाता

B. तेल निकालता

C. भाग अलग करता

D. हवा निकालता

उत्तर: C

Q9. यह क्या सोखता है?

A. गर्मी

B. नमी

C. प्रकाश

D. ध्वनि

उत्तर: B

Q10. इसका उदाहरण क्या है?

A. प्लाज्मा

B. Oobleck

C. मिश्रधातु

D. जेल

उत्तर: B

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